Liverpool manager Arne Slot described his side’s defeat at Brentford as the poorest performance of his tenure and admitted he is still searching for solutions to counter teams who play a more direct style.
The Premier League champions endured a punishing 3–2 loss in west London, extending their losing streak in the league to four matches — the toughest spell since the Dutchman took charge at Anfield.
Brentford, led by Keith Andrews, secured a famous win through goals from Dango Ouattara, Kevin Schade and Igor Thiago, despite strikes from Milos Kerkez and Mohamed Salah briefly keeping Liverpool in contention.
For Andrews, it was the high point of his short managerial career. For Slot, it was an evening to forget.
When asked if it was Liverpool’s worst display under his management, Slot did not hesitate.
“Yeah, I think it is up there,” he said. “Normally when we go 1–0 or 2–0 down, that’s when I start to like our reaction — but not tonight.
“After 30 minutes, Brentford took control again with long throws, set-pieces and moments where they were really strong.
“They did many things well. It’s disappointing. We expected a better result after our midweek win, but more importantly, I was expecting a better performance.
“This was far from the level we usually show. Even in defeats, we’ve performed much better than tonight.”
The Liverpool manager was frank about his team’s inability to deal with Brentford’s physical approach.
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“We didn’t do the basics right,” he said. “When you’re 1–0, 2–0 or 3–1 down, the energy in the stadium helps them. They’re a good team at winning duels and second balls — you must give them credit.”
Slot also conceded that Liverpool’s recent run has exposed a tactical weakness, one that he must turn around fast.
“Teams have a certain playing style against us, which is proving to be a very good strategy,” he said. “We haven’t found the answer yet. Going 1–0 down after five minutes doesn’t help. Teams know how to play against us now.”
The defeat marked another setback in a month that has seen Liverpool’s title defence falter.
While injuries and fatigue have played a part, the manager’s comments hinted at deeper frustration with his side’s discipline and structure when facing high-intensity, physical opponents.
For Brentford, the night could hardly have been more satisfying.
Andrews praised his players’ courage and organisation, saying their victory reflected the team’s growing belief.
“Fearlessness was one of the words I used in the build-up,” he remarked. “But it takes more than that — structure, desire, resilience, character. It’s about how you react to situations. If you suffer a setback, you step forward, not back.
“We’ve just beaten the Premier League champions. It ranks pretty highly for me.
“There was a lot of talk about their form, but if you strip it back, they’re still world-class players.
“This is a huge result for the football club and an important moment as we build for the next chapter.”
Liverpool are next in action against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. As for Brentford, they're due to face Grimsby Town in the same competition on Tuesday.
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